Canterbury House

Updated 26 September 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a routine unannounced inspection. It took place on 8 August 2018 to gather the required evidence.

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors, and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Our expert by experience had used this type of service previously as a relative.

Prior to the inspection we looked at other information we held about the service such as statutory notifications and previous reports. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During this inspection we met and spent time with ten people who lived at the service. Some of the people living at the service had complex needs but could communicate and tell us about their experience of being supported by the staff team. We spoke with three relatives, a visitor and a health professional. We looked around the premises and interviewed the manager and six members of staff throughout the day. Following our inspection, we were sent information requested on the day.

We looked at records relating to people’s care and the running of the home. These included seven care and support plans and records relating to medication administration. We also looked at how the provider ensured the quality monitoring of the service. This included staff recruitment and training, feedback, audits and maintenance records.

Updated 26 September 2018

We carried out this unannounced comprehensive inspection on 8 August 2018.

Canterbury House is a care home for up to 63 adults. People who are older are the primary users of this service. There is a separate living unit called Turner on the lower ground floor that accommodates people living with dementia. This has two courtyard garden areas that are accessible and safe. This is a large purpose-built care home that also has a swimming pool and several private suits on the top floor. Gardens and seating areas are available for use by everyone.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. This service does not provide nursing care.

The service had a manager who had applied to become registered. They were present throughout the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The last comprehensive inspection was completed on 6 July 2017. We gave a rating of requires improvement and there was a breach in regulation relating to safeguarding people from abuse. At this inspection we found that matters were greatly improved and the service is rated good. Therefore, the provider was no longer in breach of any regulations.

The provider Anchor, through its management structure and the appointment of a new manager have made improvements to this service. We found that our concerns had been responded to and resolved. Staff knew how to use their safeguarding training and ensure people were protected. Complaints were taken seriously and used to drive developments and change. People were listened to and suggestions made implemented. We found a more settled and inclusive service that staff were proud to belong to.

People who lived at the service told us that managers and staff were available to them. Staffing was suitable. There were enough staff who were appropriately trained, but equally important staff were kind and caring. We saw and heard of several examples of staff attentiveness to people and their needs. People and staff felt valued.

There had been developments with the environment and opportunities for people living with dementia. This was work ongoing with more training being rolled out, even on the day of our visit.

People had access to suitable healthcare with initiatives of new ways to monitor the most vulnerable people being implemented with regular multidisciplinary meetings. People were provided with good quality food that they liked and people were well hydrated. Staff were mindful and used their imitative to encourage people to remember to drink.

People were involved and consulted with all aspects of their care and support. Families were positive about their experiences and the care given to their family member.

The service was monitored by the provider to help ensure its ongoing quality and safety. The provider’s governance framework, helped monitor the management and leadership of the service, as well as the ongoing quality and safety of the care support people were receiving.